Li Huaqiang

Biodata

Name	Li Huaqiang (李华强)
Alias(es)	Upper Nine; Elixir Five
Species/Race	Human; later reborn in a Pseudo-Human body 305
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Pursuit Organization; formerly Ninth Seat and later Elixir Five; subordinate of Zhou Kai 231 307 395
Occupation/Role	Dream Demon Walker; director of the School Hospital; Zhou Kai's chief general and prospective head of alchemy in the Butterfly Dream World 223 305 361
Status	Alive; reborn after the destruction of his original body; later left behind in the Butterfly Dream World to help guard it; subsequently active as an upper-Fourth-Realm Pursuit member 305 361 395
First Appearance	212

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Third Realm Dream Demon Walker	241	Already recognized as a Third Realm Walker when Zhou Kai accepts his offer of assistance for the Laier mission.
First-generation Fungal Offspring host	221	Swallows Zhou Kai's Ninth Offspring; his consciousness is backed up in the Prototype Hive Mind, binding him to Zhou Kai's fungal network.
Pseudo-Human rebirth	305	After dying within Purple Yin Mountain, receives a Pseudo-Human body modeled on his former appearance and retains his Fungal Offspring.
Fourth-Realm-level combat capability	307	Reintegrates the Divine Stride Spirit Elixir and cultivates the Blood Union Rebirth Elixir; can contend with a newly advanced Fourth Realm Pictograph Martial Artist for over a hundred exchanges.
New Elixir Scripture formula cultivation	361	Continues refining spirit pills after being left in the Butterfly Dream World. He reports receiving a new formula in a dream and believes completing it will grant combat strength comparable to an ordinary Fourth Realm cultivator; the refinement remains incomplete.
Heart-Glaring Elixir cultivation	395	Learns the Heart-Glaring Elixir method, which grants a danger-sensing ability.
Upper Fourth Realm; Elixir Five	395	More than three years after Zhou Kai's departure, rises to the upper Fourth Realm and becomes Elixir Five, carrying eleven spirit elixirs derived from four types. His strength is comparable to that of some newly advanced Momo sorcerers with one or two cores.

Background

Li Huaqiang was an independent Dream Demon Walker whose initial Nightmare was Purple Yin Mountain. Within its Shrine, he discovered the Precious Proclamation of the True Lord of the Upper Nine and an Elixir Scripture concealed in incense ash. He survived by making offerings to the Shrine, including sacrificing an arm for his first Corpse Incense. 228 302

Following the Elixir Scripture's method, Li guided Dream Demon power into his brain and refined his pineal gland into a Divine Stride Elixir. The process granted him Divine Stride Elixir Qi, but enlarged his head, caused his hair to fall out, and repeatedly erased memories concerning the Scripture. 229 303

When his lost memories return, Li learns that the Elixir Scripture was designed to turn him into a completed human elixir for another being to consume. Rather than abandon the path, he agrees to continue refining the elixir under Zhou Kai's supervision, trading its original danger for the prospect of greater power. 303

After Zhou Kai departs the Butterfly Dream World, Li remains behind as one of his trusted guardians. He continues pursuing the Elixir Scripture's alchemical path, refining spirit pills while seeking a formula that can further elevate his combat power. 361

More than three years after Zhou Kai's departure by Butterfly Dream World reckoning, Li remains active within the Pursuit Organization. He advances to the upper Fourth Realm, adopts the designation Elixir Five, and develops a close friendship with Zhang Chen, the Fourth Seat and Four Fingers. 395

Appearance

Li Huaqiang's original body was visibly distorted by the Divine Stride Elixir. He was powerfully built, but his oversized head was approximately as wide as his waist, giving him an unnatural, monstrous silhouette. 212

• His original head continually enlarged as the elixir developed, while his black hair fell out completely. 229
• After practicing the Dragon Gate Secret Art, he compresses his Divine Stride Elixir Qi enough to return his head to roughly normal proportions; faint hair begins growing back. 282
• His Pseudo-Human body resembles his original appearance but can evoke an uncanny feeling when ordinary people stare at it. 305
• At No Pursuit Inn, he manifests with an ordinary but cold, stiff-looking face and two orbiting Elixir Pellets connected by mycelium. 307
• By the time Zhou Kai has spent nearly three months away from the Butterfly Dream World, he has regrown thick hair. 361

Personality

Li Huaqiang is survival-oriented, opportunistic, and initially prone to flattery. When he first seeks Zhou Kai's protection, he offers Corpse Incense and carefully abandons his earlier schemes once he recognizes the scale of the danger. 210

He is also talkative, anxious, and theatrically self-serving. He fears being killed after learning too much about Zhou Kai's secrets, immediately tries to buy his life with valuables, then willingly accepts fungal implantation when he realizes it gives him a path to renewed life and power. 221

Despite his cowardice, Li becomes sincerely loyal after repeatedly witnessing Zhou Kai's strength. He supports Zhou in battle, volunteers for missions, and treats dangerous gambles as opportunities rather than reasons to retreat. 218 232 308

Even while separated from Zhou Kai in the Butterfly Dream World, Li remains committed to protecting the world Zhou entrusted to him. He worries for his absent superior but continues refining elixirs and preparing for future threats. 361

His later advancement reinforces both his ambition and his practical adaptability. He continues accumulating elixirs, survives the deaths and disappearances of other Pursuit seats, and establishes a close friendship with Zhang Chen while remaining alert to threats within the organization. 395

Abilities & Skills

Divine Stride Elixir Qi

Li's primary power comes from a spiritual elixir refined within his brain. It is a controllable form of Dream Demon power obtained through the Elixir Scripture. 229

• Lightens Zhou Kai's body and increases his movement speed when used as support. 213
• Reduces gravity sufficiently for high-speed aerial movement when paired with Zhou Kai's charges. 214
• Can form an independent space and wrap allies in Elixir Qi for travel. 239 241
• Its original cultivation caused severe physical alteration and memory loss. 229 303
• After becoming compatible with the Fungal Offspring, he can release his Elixir Qi at full strength without overwhelming his body. 240
• Has sufficient output to carry Zhou Kai and others through the air at extreme speed. 240

Erosion Resistance

Li uses religious and alchemical methods tied to Purple Yin Mountain to endure Nightmare Erosion.

• Corpse Incense produces smoke that offsets Nightmare Erosion; its effectiveness is far greater within Purple Yin Mountain than in reality. 210 302
• Reciting the Precious Proclamation of the True Lord of the Upper Nine visibly weakens the Erosion surrounding him. 228
• His Shrine functions as a Sanctuary within Purple Yin Mountain, with incense smoke forming its protective boundary. 302
• Corpse Incense remains essential to his survival during forced summons, though it is substantially weaker outside Purple Yin Mountain. 302

Fungal Offspring

After consuming Zhou Kai's Ninth Offspring, Li becomes part of the Prototype Hive Mind. 221

• Maintains long-distance mental communication with Zhou Kai through fungal sensory links. 215 231
• Possesses a backup of his consciousness within the Hive Mind. 221
• His first-generation status gives him authority above lower-ranking fungal hosts, though their thoughts are shielded from him. 227
• Becomes increasingly compatible with the Fungal Offspring, allowing his Divine Stride Elixir Qi to be used at full output. 240
• Can distribute Fungal Offspring to other people under Zhou Kai's orders. 254

Pseudo-Human Body and Spirit Elixirs

Li's reborn body is a Pseudo-Human vessel carrying both the Divine Stride Spirit Elixir and Blood Union Rebirth Elixir. 305 307

• Can manipulate his paired Elixir Pellets as naturally as his own limbs. 308
• The Pseudo-Human body's innate Delusion Corpse Pact enhances and fuses aberrant Dream Demon powers. 308
• His combined body and elixirs allow him to withstand or contest newly advanced Fourth Realm martial artists. 307 308
• Later carries eleven spirit elixirs of four types, supporting his advancement to the upper Fourth Realm. 395

Spirit Elixir Refinement

Li continues to study and refine formulas from the Elixir Scripture following his rebirth. 305 361

• Under the Yin Mountain Python's guidance, he learned to complete the Divine Stride Spirit Elixir and cultivate the Blood Union Rebirth Elixir. 305 307
• While stationed in the Butterfly Dream World, he refines spirit pills and receives a further elixir formula through a dream. 361
• He believes the new formula, once completed, will grant him combat power equal to an ordinary Fourth Realm cultivator. 361
• Later learns the Heart-Glaring Elixir, a spirit-elixir method capable of sensing danger. 395
• Eventually carries eleven spirit elixirs belonging to four types, contributing to his upper-Fourth-Realm strength. 395

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Corpse Incense — Shrine-linked incense that mitigates Nightmare Erosion. 210 302
• Precious Proclamation of the True Lord of the Upper Nine — incomplete sacred text recovered from Shrine ash; suppresses Erosion when recited. 228
• Spirit Tablet — reward issued by Earth Spirit after completing the Ronan interception mission; bears Li's real name. 240
• Multi-Eyed Glass Sword — weapon entrusted to him by Zhou Kai for an external mission. 308
• [Gate] — emergency item that allows Zhou Kai to arrive instantly if Li cannot defeat an opponent. 308

Relationships

• Zhou Kai — superior, benefactor, and fungal-network controller. Zhou saves Li repeatedly, grants him a consciousness backup and new body, and entrusts him with independent missions. 210 221 305 308
• Aurora — fellow subordinate and combat companion; they stand as Zhou Kai's paired guards during the Gotham City confrontation and are later left in the Butterfly Dream World under Zhou's trust. 241 255 361
• Earth Spirit — leader associated with No Pursuit Inn who assigns Li missions and issues Pursuit rewards. 231 232 240
• Yin Mountain Python — provides Li with the method for completing and strengthening his Divine Stride spiritual elixir. 305
• Pan Da — fellow Pursuit member and collaborator in the campaign against the Elephant Form Martial Sect remnants in the Lyle Federation. 308 318
• Wen Cheng — companion sent with Li Huaqiang to the Lyle Federation to deal with the Elephant Form Martial Sect's remaining forces. 311
• Zhang Chen / Four Fingers — fellow Pursuit member and later close friend. Both serve Zhou Kai, and they attend the Pursuit gathering together after Li becomes Elixir Five. 395

Story Role / Major Arcs

Haunted School Nightmare

Li approaches Zhou Kai as a civilian Dream Demon Walker and requests cooperation within the Haunted School Nightmare. He contributes Corpse Incense, supports Zhou against the Chef, and uses Divine Stride Elixir Qi to lessen Zhou's weight and improve his speed. 210 213 214

After Zhou destroys the Principal, Li becomes convinced of his overwhelming power. He accepts the Ninth Offspring, becoming Zhou Kai's subordinate in exchange for security, power, and the possibility of rebirth. 221

Pursuit Organization

Using the codename Upper Nine, Li attends gatherings at No Pursuit Inn as the Ninth Seat. He accepts Earth Spirit's mission to intercept and kill Ronan, relying on Zhou Kai's strength to complete it and receive a spirit tablet and divination draw as rewards. 231 232 240

He helps Zhou investigate the strange hands perceived behind Zhou's head and later accompanies him on the expedition to Laier. 241

Li's position later changes after the turnover of the Pursuit seats. More than three years after Zhou Kai's departure, he appears as Elixir Five, the fifth regular seat, and possesses upper-Fourth-Realm strength. He attends the gathering alongside Zhang Chen while remaining wary of the suspicious Thirteenth Seat. 395

Purple Yin Mountain and Rebirth

Zhou enters Purple Yin Mountain to free Li from his initial Nightmare's anchoring. There, Li's suppressed memories reveal that the Elixir Scripture is an elixir-nucleus scheme intended to refine him into a consumable spiritual elixir. 301 303

Li dies when his Nightmare-side body is destroyed, causing his real-world body to collapse into dust. Zhou then transfers his consciousness into a Pseudo-Human body and appoints him director of the School Hospital. 305

After restoring his Divine Stride Spirit Elixir and cultivating the Blood Union Rebirth Elixir, Li returns to No Pursuit Inn substantially stronger. Zhou later equips him with the Multi-Eyed Glass Sword and [Gate] for a mission against Martial Sect remnants. 307 308

Martial Sect Remnants and Butterfly Dream World

Li joins Pan Da in hunting the remaining members of the Elephant Form Martial Sect in the Lyle Federation. He and Wen Cheng are dispatched together to address the sect's lingering forces. 311 318

After Zhou Kai leaves the Butterfly Dream World, Li remains behind as a chief general and trusted guardian alongside Aurora and Zhou's other subordinates. He continues refining spirit pills and pursuing new Elixir Scripture formulas while awaiting Zhou's return. 361

Elixir Five

During the more than three years of Zhou Kai's absence, Li continues operating within the Pursuit Organization and advances from the Ninth Seat to Elixir Five. His strength reaches the upper Fourth Realm, supported by eleven spirit elixirs of four types, including the Heart-Glaring Elixir. 395

He forms a close friendship with Zhang Chen, the Fourth Seat and Four Fingers. The two attend the organization's gathering together and investigate the increasingly abnormal situation surrounding the Lyle Federation and the Thirteenth Seat. 395

Notable Quotes

“No child cries every day, and no gambler loses every hand. Maybe this time, I'll win big.” 232

“Boss, you have to live to a hundred! No, a thousand! Ten thousand! Ten thousand times ten thousand years!” 221

“Recently, I dreamed of the Elixir Scripture again. Someone taught me a new pill formula—once the pill is complete, I will possess the combat strength of an ordinary Fourth Realm cultivator.” 361

Trivia

• Li describes himself as a gambler and treats dangerous missions as high-stakes bets. 232
• He claims he was once one of the best-looking men in his hometown before refining the Divine Stride Elixir altered his appearance. 229
• Before becoming a Dream Demon Walker, he worked as a veterinarian and later cites this as relevant experience for handling spiritual elixirs. 305
• He is delighted by the restoration of his hair after using the Dragon Gate Secret Art to compress his Divine Stride Elixir Qi. 282
• His original Pursuit designation was Upper Nine, but he later becomes Elixir Five after several earlier seats die or disappear. 395
• His later strength is supported by eleven spirit elixirs belonging to four different types. 395